The majority of us go throughout life while having to live with and suffer through various
health issues. Not many people are born perfect, and whether you're talking about
allergies or nonfunctioning organs, there's a high possibility we'll have to spend significant time speaking to a
doctor at some point in our lives.
Sometimes, the issue requires surgery, and we have to ask ourselves to make a huge decision - live with the hand dealt to us by nature, nurture and plain old fortune, or risk going under the knife for the idea of something better? That's the dilemma currently being considered by 63-year-old Wiang Boonmee, whose skin issues are becoming a cause for concern.
Growing up in the Surin province of northeastern Thailand, Wiang started to develop somewhat abnormal growths on her face when she was a child, thanks to a condition known as Neurofibromatosis. As the years went on, the growths got worse and worse, and before long, they had spread all over her face, rendering her blind, twisting her nose and mouth out of shape and making her appear as if her face has melted.
Moving from Surin to Bangkok allowed Wiang to make a living for herself selling accessories and souvenirs in the city centre, but last week, she was the subject of plenty of column inches when her story was picked up by local news outlets and health professionals were contacted to help her out.
But despite the newfound attention, Wiang is adamant that she won't have surgery to remove the growths. With one daughter and two grandchildren, Wiang Boonmee has a lot to live for, and she revealed that her fear of dying on the operating table meant she was more than okay living with her condition.
"
I have had this problem for a long time. More than I can remember. I have survived and I’m healthy and have a job. If I have an operation I might never wake up. I’m afraid I would not survive it. ‘My daughter brings me here so I can sell flowers and camphor oils. I am happy and somebody gave me a donation this week, which I’m grateful for."
Wiang's condition was first brought to light by 22-year-old Praew Wattana, who noticed the 63-year-old on the streets. She stopped to ask Wiang about herself, and was the one who put the word out for medical professionals.
"I saw the grandmother selling things on the street in front of the bank. I felt sorry for her because she could not see and I thought she was suffering. I am sure she has a hard life but she is still working hard. She does not beg. She sells flowers and other small things. I’d really like to see her receive help."
Although Wiang has so far ruled out surgery, Dr. Sunura Ourairat of Rangsit University has visited the grandma, and pledges to do all he can to help her out with her condition. Let's hope that in the new year, Wiang can get some help with this most difficult affliction.
